Can an unmarried girl be a godmother? Is it possible for an unmarried girl to baptize a girl? Rules and superstitions

In our world, sometimes pious, and in some cases sinful, there are many moments that make you think before doing even a good deed. Such situations may include Christenings.

It so happens that a young couple has a beautiful daughter, but their friend, who is not married, refuses to be a godmother.

Let's figure out whether an unmarried girl can be baptized first and whether there can be negative consequences after this event.

Superstitions in our life

There is a belief that if unmarried people baptize their first girl, they will give her their feminine happiness and will never get married. Baptism is a church sacrament, therefore, let us turn to the ministers of the church and the Bible for clarification of the question of why the first girl cannot be baptized by an unmarried girl. The Holy Fathers always give a simple and unambiguous answer to this situation: all this is superstition and nonsense. Christening is a righteous and good deed and there can be no restrictions if you are baptized and have reached the age of thirteen. But superstition is one of the church sins, about which the Bible says: “Do not listen to vain rumors, lest you join with the unrighteous and be a witness to the unrighteous” (Exodus XXIII, 1). Therefore, it is possible for an unmarried girl to baptize the first girl, but refusing to be baptized according to biblical canons is a great sin.

Our thoughts are material

In this situation, there is another interesting aspect: all our thoughts are material. It’s probably hard to call it superstition, but it’s quite a theory. Therefore, if you have decided to baptize your first girl, then you must do this with positive emotions and bright thoughts about your future and the future of your goddaughter.

So, whether it is possible for an unmarried woman to baptize the first girl is up to you personally to decide. The Church allows and welcomes such an undertaking, but if you still doubt or are afraid, it is better to refuse. After all, this is a joyful event in which there is no place for fear and fear.

When an unmarried girl is invited to become a godmother, she faces a dilemma: “Should I baptize the child or refuse?” The future godmother often asks loved ones: “Is it possible for an unmarried girl to baptize a girl?” These throwings are associated with fears and superstitions that are not supported.

People believe that an unmarried girl who becomes a godmother will find it difficult to get married in the future. Priests believe that everything is the will of the Lord, and personal life has nothing to do with the sacrament of baptism.

There is also a superstition that a godmother who is not married can give her destiny to her goddaughter. The church says that every person is unique and cannot exchange their destiny with others.

There is also a myth that the young godmother will take on many of her goddaughter’s sins when she enters adulthood. But this cannot happen either, since God perceives each person separately and sees only his sins and good deeds.

Another superstitious fear relates to the child's parents. Some parents believe that a young and unmarried godmother may unwittingly or intentionally steal their daughter's luck, youth, or beauty at baptism. In Christianity, witchcraft is denied, so this fear remains at the level of “old wives' tales.”

For what true reasons can unmarried people not be godparents?

It would seem that fears have been calmed, myths have been debunked and you can safely become the little girl’s godmother. But besides superstitions, there are real prohibitions when an unmarried woman cannot baptize a child. Let's look at them in more detail:

All of the above are good reasons to refuse the role of godmother. And parents themselves should not invite a person to this important role who is not suitable for the above reasons. Now you have found out whether an unmarried girl can have a girl baptized. What does it really mean to be a godmother?

Godmother is an honorary title and a great responsibility. A real godmother can replace a girl’s real mother if something happens to her.

The godmother should be actively involved in the spiritual development of her goddaughter. She is obliged to participate in all events that are important for the girl, and to attend her wedding.

The godmother is a spiritual example for the goddaughter. Their close communication should enrich the child's Christian views. But worldly participation in the life of the goddaughter is not prohibited.

A woman who has become a godmother must pray diligently for her goddaughter and support her in difficult periods of life. After all, she witnessed the child’s introduction to the world of Christianity.

Whether to agree to the role of godmother is a personal matter for each woman. If fears due to omens and superstitions are too strong, you can tell a priest about them in confession. But you shouldn’t refuse your loved ones because of myths and beliefs. It is better to understand your internal readiness for such a significant step. After all, the status of godmother is for life. And you cannot refuse such a role, even if the desire arises.

It is also worth remembering that it is not welcomed when the godmother or godfather prepares. It is better to participate in the sacrament of baptism after your own wedding. But if the desire to become a godmother is sincere and strong, then the church can approve such candidates.

So is it possible for an unmarried girl to baptize a girl? According to popular wisdom, no. But the church looks at this positively. The main thing is that the future godmother is not too young and fully understands the importance of this step. And then everything will go wonderfully, and the girl will have her first named child - her goddaughter. And the parents will find in her an assistant who will care about the fate of their daughter. After all, the more close and loving people a child has, the better.

The baptism of a child is an event that happens to every religious family. However, few people know that such an Orthodox ritual can affect the future fate of both parents and their children. To understand how to avoid negative consequences and not cause trouble, you need to turn to folk wisdom.

Baptizing an unmarried girl's first daughter means failure in her personal life

In the superstitions that have come down to us, there are instructions on how to properly prepare and conduct baptism. So, for example, signs are relevant that explain whether an unmarried or separated girl can be baptized.

Reasons why an unmarried girl should not be baptized

According to signs, the baptism of a girl by an unmarried woman is a bad sign; it indicates negative events in the near future.

  • Baptizing an unmarried girl's first daughter means failure in her personal life. The child will not be able to have a relationship with a member of the opposite sex. Young people will have no interest in the girl, which is why she will be disappointed in her appearance. This will entail low self-esteem and a desire to radically change the data. Attempts to make the body ideal will stop only after a young man appears in life.
  • The baptism of a second child is a harbinger of an unexpected change in behavior. The child will stop listening to his parents and will envy his peers and older brother or sister. This will result in a long-term confrontation between children, which will end only in adulthood.
  • If a child who was baptized by an unmarried girl was born 3rd or 4th in a family, then you should expect disappointment in close friends. The girl will have to repeatedly convince herself that her friends will not always respond to requests and help in difficult situations.
  • For an unmarried girl to baptize the only child in the family is a bad omen. Parents will regularly quarrel among themselves. Showdowns and ongoing conflicts will lead to a breakup.

Why can't a woman who is divorced have a girl baptized?

Also, signs have reached us that explain why the first or only girl of a woman who has divorced her husband cannot be baptized. This can affect the child's relationship with his parents.

  1. According to superstitions, if a woman divorces a man in the first 3 years after the wedding, then her goddaughter will experience communication with peers, which will negatively affect her behavior. Soon there will be quarrels with parents and distance from them, while the role of friends in life will increase. The girl will maintain a disdainful attitude towards elders into adulthood, which will cause career failures.
  2. The baptism of a girl by a single woman who has separated from her husband after 4 or more years of marriage is a harbinger of melancholy in the child. A sad mood and reluctance to start any tasks will lead to a lag compared to peers. In the future, this will also affect professional self-determination and choice of life path.
  3. A girl whose godmother divorced and remarried faces minor troubles every christening. She will have to deal with rude attitudes, unpleasant gifts and quarrels with friends on this day. A series of minor misfortunes will regularly spoil the holiday, which will cause a negative attitude towards the date of baptism.
  4. If the reason for the divorce was infidelity, then a woman should under no circumstances become the girl’s godmother. This can lead to long-term misunderstandings between the child and the young people around him. At a more conscious age, the goddaughter will try to find her happiness with one of the men she knows, but this will only lead to a broken heart and lowered self-esteem. In the future, the girl will also not be able to build family relationships with representatives of the opposite sex.

Baptizing a boy on Monday means that one of the parents will soon have the opportunity to move up the career ladder

The opinion of the Orthodox Church on the baptism of children by unmarried girls

There are several opinions about whether an unmarried woman can baptize a child. According to representatives of the Orthodox Church, it is necessary to answer this question based on the age of the daughter. Depending on how old the girl is, it becomes clear whether she can be baptized by an unmarried woman.

  • Up to 1 year of age, a child at this time can still be baptized by an unmarried woman. The event will not affect the future life of either the girl or her godmother.
  • From 2 to 3 years is the period when such an event can affect the health of relatives. They will often get sick until minor ailments develop into serious ailments. You will have to spend a lot of effort and money to get rid of the disease.
  • From 4 to 7 years old, it is no longer possible for an unmarried girl to baptize a child. This can affect the girl's hobbies. She will be interested in the unimportant or meaningless, which is why she will not have time for more significant things. This will negatively affect her horizons.
  • From 8 to 10 years old - it is also not recommended to choose a godmother among unmarried people. The girl will soon understand that she does not share the opinions of others, including her parents. In the future, this will lead to distance from friends and family.
  • From 11 to 15 – an unmarried girl cannot be baptized. The position of a lonely and self-sufficient person can scare away a teenager, which is why she will try to quickly enter into a relationship.
  • Over 16 – you can already choose an unmarried lady as your godparent. The girl’s personality has already been formed, so such an event will not affect her life.

Is it possible for an unmarried girl to baptize a boy?

An unmarried girl can baptize a boy.

This will be a good sign of fate, which will indicate further positive events. Based on what day the Orthodox ceremony was performed, you can look into the future.

  1. Baptizing a boy on Monday means that one of the parents will soon have the opportunity to move up the career ladder. The promotion will be the result of the boss's unexpected generosity and will lead to a deterioration in relations between colleagues. Despite the decrease in the number of friends, the overall standard of living will improve.
  2. The boy's baptism by an unmarried woman, which took place on Tuesday, indicates an emerging interest in studies. The child will come under the influence of an adult who will attract him to a more detailed study of one of the sciences. This will affect further professional self-determination and choice of business.
  3. If a boy was baptized by an unmarried woman on Wednesday, then he should expect to meet a good person. One of the new friends will turn out to be an interesting conversationalist, and then become a true friend.
  4. Baptism on Thursday means quick deliverance from enemies. The boy will understand what needs to be done so as not to attract the attention of ill-wishers. This will have a positive impact on his academic performance, self-esteem and mood.
  5. An unmarried godmother in a Friday Orthodox ceremony is a harbinger of changes in relationships with representatives of the opposite sex. The boy will become more interested in one of his friends, which will lead to the beginning of a romantic relationship.
  6. An Orthodox ritual performed on Saturday will improve relations with parents. The boy will understand that conversations with mom and dad help him understand life's problems, thanks to which he will be able to trust adults more.
  7. If a boy was baptized by an unmarried woman on Sunday, then he will have a conversation with one of his friends. After the conversation, comrades will understand each other better. Thanks to this, their friendship will become a source of support, it will last for many years of life.

The baptism of a daughter by an unmarried woman is an act that you can only dare to do after becoming familiar with the signs and superstitions. Only by comparing all the information can you make the right decision, which will not affect the future life of the child and parents.

The rite of baptism contains certain signs and superstitions. Being godparents means carrying a responsible burden. After all, the responsibility of such parents is to care for the child and raise him. Great responsibility raises many questions. Among the frequently asked questions is: “ why can't an unmarried girl baptize her first girl??. Let's try to answer it in detail and learn about the features of the baptismal rite.

For some reason, men are never guided by superstitions, but emotionally flexible girls tend to obey folk superstitions, wisdom and signs.

Reasons why an unmarried girl should not be baptized

Considering the non-Orthodox reasons that girls often believe in, we note the following:

  • 1st sign: a nulliparous and unmarried girl who baptizes a girl can take away her goddaughter’s happiness;
  • 2nd sign: an unmarried girl who has entered into the rite of the church sacrament of baptism can prevent her goddaughter from getting married in the future;
  • 3rd sign: the fate of an unmarried godmother may in the future affect the fate of her goddaughter.

There is also an opposite sign. If the first person baptized by an unmarried woman is a boy, then the girl’s life will be happy and her future marriage will be strong.

Whether or not to believe the superstitions associated with baptism is up to you to decide. By refusing this honorable rite, you can offend the child’s parents. The sacrament of baptism is a special rite. There is no place for prejudices and superstitions here. Sometimes they help justify their own bad actions and mistakes.

The opinion of the Orthodox Church on the baptism of children by unmarried girls

Today even the Orthodox Church has heard the question: “ Why can’t an unmarried girl baptize a girl??. She considers such superstitions stupid and unfounded. The priests claim that such girls at the time of baptism will not harm either the health or the fate of the child. The only caution that unmarried ladies need to take into account is that the godfather of the child should not be her future husband. The fact is that in the church young people will become related, and relatives, based on Orthodox canons, are forbidden to enter into church marriage and get married. So beware at this point.

What girl can be a godmother?

When becoming a godmother, a girl must be raised in the Orthodox faith and observe church customs. There are no age limits here. The main thing in this case is to understand all the responsibility that lies in guiding and instructing godchildren on the spiritual path. If you feel ready for this, then feel free to baptize the girl even if she is unmarried. Baptism will not only help the child, but also bring you closer to the spiritual world.

There is no point in looking for reasons in superstitions and omens to refuse the holy sacrament. Before baptism, you can consult with the priests and learn more about the features of the rite.

Is it possible for unmarried girls to have girls baptized? Yes. To become a godmother, you need to have a firm faith in God, profess Orthodoxy, love your future goddaughter as your daughter, and trust her parents as you trust yourself. The age and marital status of the future godmother do not matter. There can be only one restriction for a believing girl: you cannot baptize a child together with your future husband. That is, a couple who is dating and planning to start a family cannot become godparents for the same child.

Superstitions

Often, when choosing future godparents, mom and dad ask themselves the question: is it possible for an unmarried girl to baptize her first girl? This is due to folk signs and superstitions, which have nothing to do with Orthodox teaching. For some reason, it is generally accepted that an unmarried godmother gives her happiness to her goddaughter. These are, in Russian, "old wives' tales." “According to your faith, be it done to you,” is the correct attitude towards all signs and superstitions. “If you don’t believe, it won’t come true,” said the holy Venerable Seraphim of Sarov about bad omens. If a girl believes with all her soul that she and her goddaughter find common happiness during the Sacrament, then that’s exactly what will happen. You can say to yourself out of spite: “In this way I call on God’s blessing for my own happy marriage and motherhood.” And, believe me, this is exactly what will come true if you truly believe. So, is it possible for unmarried girls to baptize girls? It is possible and necessary if you approach your future title responsibly.

If you baptized a child together, you cannot marry

An unmarried girl? The girl is baptized by the godmother, the boy by the godfather. But at the same time, for a girl, both the father and the mother are often invited. Here an important condition arises, which can become an obstacle to the choice of a particular person for the role of godmother or godfather. It seems very sweet when a future couple seals their feelings by baptizing their baby together. This is what people who are ignorant of church canons often do. The fact is that the recipients, when performing the Sacrament, enter into a spiritual relationship. This is the obstacle. If the couple subsequently wishes to get married, they will be refused. It is forbidden to perform the Sacrament of Wedding on people who are in such a relationship, that is, who are the spiritual parents of the same baby.

Nowadays, such stories also happen: mom and dad get divorced, then dad wants to marry his godfather. Such marriages are also not blessed. Answer to the question: “Can unmarried girls have girls baptized?” next: it is possible if the girl is going to become a nun, has simply taken a vow of celibacy, and also if the godfather does not take part in the baptism or is not her likely groom.

What does it mean to be a godmother?

“You can’t baptize the first girl for an unmarried girl!” - the folk sign categorically declares. Answer: it doesn’t matter what gender the child is, whether he is the first or the tenth. It is important to take the upcoming Sacrament responsibly. The baby does not yet and cannot have his own faith; the baby is baptized according to the faith of his or her successor. The girl gives God her word that she will bring this baby to Him. The spiritual mother becomes the guardian of faith and piety for the goddaughter. At the Last Judgment, godparents will answer for the sins of their godchildren, for the fact that they spent their lives outside the Church, outside the faith of Christ. That is, if the girl herself does not really believe or knows that the parents of the future goddaughter will not raise her in the Orthodox faith, it is better to refuse the offered role. You can baptize the daughter of unbelieving parents, provided that the godmother has the opportunity to take an active part in her upbringing, for example, a governess or a very close relative. A clear example: a believing girl baptizes a baby from the orphanage where she works, firmly knowing that raising her goddaughter will fall on her shoulders at least for the next few years. But in no case should children be baptized by people who are atheists, people of other faiths (Muslims, Buddhists, etc.) or unchurched (those who do not attend church services more often than once every few months and do not receive communion at least once a year ).

How to prepare

About how to properly prepare for a future godmother, it is best to ask the priest who will perform this Sacrament. In most churches, special conversations are held on how to prepare yourself and prepare a child for parents and future adoptees. If there is no such opportunity in the church where the Baptism will take place, and the priest for some reason could not devote time to the future godparents, then you can purchase the appropriate literature. In any case, it is advisable for the godmother to receive communion on the day of the Sacrament or the day before, having made the necessary preparations beforehand. It’s good if you manage to find time to read the Gospel during the week before baptism. Be sure to throughout the week before and during the Sacrament itself, you must pray with all your heart to God and the Mother of God for blessings for yourself and your goddaughter, and ask for help in fulfilling your obligations. Is it possible for unmarried girls to have girls baptized? Any girl or woman who seriously, responsibly, and with reverence approaches her role in the Sacrament and the entire future life of the child can baptize a girl.